the main reason that im sold on the proto is because it is lighter than the sl. Im a girl so it matters ><

i have the roxy eminence previously which looks like a similar board to the proto. I've recently got the nike kaiju size 9 boots and the profile is way larger than my old f22 salomon boots so i was getting too much toe overhang with the kaiju+eminence combo. im hoping the proto will solve that

the main reason that im sold on the proto is because it is lighter than the sl. Im a girl so it matters ><

i have the roxy eminence previously which looks like a similar board to the proto. I've recently got the nike kaiju size 9 boots and the profile is way larger than my old f22 salomon boots so i was getting too much toe overhang with the kaiju+eminence combo. im hoping the proto will solve that

I see, you should have said you are size 9 women boots. So why aren't you looking at the Never Summer Infinity 154? I mean the description actually says "same design features as the SL, but is narrower, softer and is lighter in weight."

Is it because you don't think the 23.9 waisted board is going to be wide enough for your mondo 26 boots? I think they would fit, considering that guys with size 10 boots (28 cm) can ride 25 cm waisted board. Oh, I just checked the specs on the Roxy Eminence ... I assume you are riding in the 155 length... with a 23.9 waist as well. The Infinity flairs out a bit more (you can see it's tip width is a few centimeters more)... hmm... boot clearance might be an issue with the Infinity.

Anyways... back to the discussion of Proto CT vs SL. Just because you are female doesn't mean you "need" a lighter board. Girls tend to be smaller, lighter, and have less muscle mass... but your stats mean you are tall and probably as strong as many guys on this forum I've ridden both the 2012 Proto CT 154 and the SL 153, 155 and there is a weight difference... but it is not in my opinion a dealbreaker (the 2012 SL is MUCH light than the older models).

the boot size i quoted is actually a mens one so a size 9 mens boot. yes the reason why im not considering the infinity is because of the width. it's the same as the roxy eminence. I had the 152 eminence

hmm thanks for the insight of the weight difference between the sl and proto. if thats the case then the SL is probably much more suited to my style. which one would you pick, the 151 or the 153?

the boot size i quoted is actually a mens one so a size 9 mens boot. yes the reason why im not considering the infinity is because of the width. it's the same as the roxy eminence. I had the 152 eminence

hmm thanks for the insight of the weight difference between the sl and proto. if thats the case then the SL is probably much more suited to my style. which one would you pick, the 151 or the 153?

Short answer: 153.

Longer Answer:
I rode the 2012 153 SL at 71 kg... and it felt short for my preference in an all-mountain board. Since I'm a good 10 kg heavier than you I think a 153 would feel more all-mountain freeride-ish to you. I caveat this by saying the differences will be subtle (we are talking about a difference of 2 cm here, or less than two finger widths).

As a side note, I notice that Shayboarder's review of the Raptor 159 was that it felt "lighter than average" while she listed both the Proto CT and the SL as "average weight."

"Well hereís the follow up as promised. Iíve gotten a couple of days out on my 152 cm Proto CT and Iím really happy with it. This size is a lot more appropriate for my weight. I have no problem twisting the board torsionally, which I like a lot for short radius turns. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to press and butter this deck. I expected the added stiffness of the board to make that a bit more difficult. I was able to do butter combos fairly easily on the 152. It definitely feels a lot more stable at speed and damp than my Evo though.
I wasnít able to take it to any jumps or park features to speak of, its early season here and there isnít much going on. My overall feeling was that the board liked to be pushed. Definitely a better choice for intermediate-advanced riders. Iím stoked that this is going to be my everyday ride for the season. Holler at me if I can answer any questions."

Longer Answer:
I rode the 2012 153 SL at 71 kg... and it felt short for my preference in an all-mountain board. Since I'm a good 10 kg heavier than you I think a 153 would feel more all-mountain freeride-ish to you. I caveat this by saying the differences will be subtle (we are talking about a difference of 2 cm here, or less than two finger widths).

As a side note, I notice that Shayboarder's review of the Raptor 159 was that it felt "lighter than average" while she listed both the Proto CT and the SL as "average weight."

cheers for your help lonerider. the raptor will be way to long for me since the lowest height is 159. i'll probably end up getting the sl